Milwaukee County board adopts budget-report amendment, approves jail-calling contract and other measures; urges state to adopt hands-free driving law

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors on March 20 adopted a package of administrative and policy items, including an amendment to the county—s 2025 year-end fiscal projection report that requires financial verification by the Milwaukee County Comptroller, authorization of a three-year amendment to the county—s jail calling contract, and a resolution urging the state to adopt a hands-free cell-phone law.

The board adopted the amendment to an informational fiscal report (file 25-74) after Supervisor Johnson proposed adding language that would require the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance to work "with cooperation from the comptroller and other departments" on a comprehensive plan and to provide regular status updates "with financial verification by the comptroller." The amendment passed on a roll-call vote of 16-0, and the amended report was adopted by the full board 16-0.

Why it matters: the change requires explicit comptroller involvement and verification in the administration—s budget-balancing work, a procedural step supporters said would strengthen financial oversight ahead of future budget actions.

Key actions and outcomes

Comptroller verification added to fiscal-projection report (Item 11, file 25-74) - What the board did: Adopted an amendment adding comptroller cooperation and requiring that regular updates on deficit-reduction efforts include "financial verification by the comptroller." The full file was adopted as amended. - Why it was debated: Supervisor Johnson said he had voted no in committee because he wanted explicit comptroller verification and clearer departmental reporting timelines; he moved the amendment to add that verification. Director Lamers of the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance had described administration efforts to develop a comprehensive plan; the amendment formalized comptroller review. - Vote: adopted 16-0 (roll call recorded in meeting transcript).

Jail calling contract amendment approved (Item 15, file 205-222) - What the board did: Authorized a three-year amendment to the agreement with Inmate Calling Solutions LLC (ICSolutions) for correctional communications at the Milwaukee County Jail and the Community Reintegration Center for the period 03/29/2025 to 03/28/2028. - Discussion: Supervisor Balinski, who said he voted against the item in committee, spoke during the floor debate and ultimately supported the motion as a compromise. He said the contract expands limited free weekly calling time but expressed concern about private vendors profiting from communications with people in custody and called for broader free calling if budget and political support allow. The item was presented by the Sheriff—s Office in committee. - Vote: adopted 16-0 (roll call recorded in meeting transcript).

Equity scoring added to capital-improvements process (Item 23, file 205-130) - What the board did: Adopted an ordinance amendment to Milwaukee County General Ordinance Chapter 36 to add equity scoring criteria to the capital improvements process, implementing a budget amendment passed earlier in the 2025 budget cycle. - Discussion: Supervisor Lawson raised questions about potential federal consequences tied to changing federal DEI guidance; Corporation Counsel Scott Brown advised the board the amendment did not violate federal law and said he did not believe it would cause the county to lose federal funding. Supporters said the ordinance codifies practices already approved during the county budget process. - Vote: adopted 16-0 (roll call recorded in meeting transcript).

Storm-sewer easement with Greendale (Item 38, file 205-176) - What the board did: Authorized the parks director to enter a storm-sewer easement with the Village of Greendale to install and maintain storm-sewer infrastructure on land in Scout Lake Park. - Discussion: Supervisor Vincent thanked county parks staff and Greendale officials for working through drainage concerns and land encroachment issues. - Vote: adopted 16-0 (roll call recorded in meeting transcript).

Resolution urging state hands-free cell-phone law (Item 44, file 25-147) - What the board did: Adopted a resolution urging the Wisconsin Legislature to require drivers to use hands-free technology to reduce distraction-related crashes. - Discussion: Sponsor Supervisor Capriollo said the resolution encourages the state to adopt a hands-free standard and noted existing state limits on texting and driving. Members discussed phone use for maps and navigation; sponsor and others said hands-free laws can allow legitimate navigation uses while discouraging handheld use. The resolution passed as the board—s formal request to the state. - Vote: adopted 16-0 (roll call recorded in meeting transcript).

Confirmations and committee reports - The board confirmed a slate of appointments (items 5—) and adopted committee reports and balances across several standing committees, with multiple items adopted by unanimous or recorded roll-call votes during the meeting.

What the speakers said - Corporation Counsel Scott Brown (Corporation Counsel) on the DEI-related ordinance: "I do not think this amendment or ordinance will cause us to lose federal funding." This statement framed legal assurances during debate. - Supervisor Johnson (Supervisor) pushed the comptroller language and said in committee he had "voted no" earlier and sought stronger comptroller involvement.

Clarifying details and evidence - Jail contract period: 03/29/2025—/03/28/2028 (file 205-222). - The comptroller-related amendment added language to both a WHEREAS clause (to note cooperation by the comptroller) and to the "be it further resolved" clause (to require regular updates with "financial verification by the comptroller"). - The capital-ordinance amendment implements equity scoring pursuant to 2025 budget amendment number 7 (file 205-130). - The storm-sewer easement concerns Scout Lake Park and the Village of Greendale (file 205-176).

Ending: next steps and context The items passed on March 20 are administrative and policy measures rather than new county statutes. The comptroller—s verification requirement adds an internal check on budget reporting and could affect how future deficit-reduction proposals are presented to the board. The jail calling contract will take effect under the dates in the contract amendment; advocates and some supervisors signaled a desire for broader free calling but said budget constraints limited options at this vote. The hands-free resolution asks the state legislature to act; any statewide change would require action in Madison.

Votes at a glance (select items) - Item 11 (file 25-74): Adopted as amended (16-0) - Item 15 (file 205-222): Contract amendment with Inmate Calling Solutions LLC (03/29/2025—/03/28/2028) adopted (16-0) - Item 23 (file 205-130): Chapter 36 capital improvements equity scoring adopted (16-0) - Item 38 (file 205-176): Storm-sewer easement for Scout Lake Park with Village of Greendale adopted (16-0) - Item 44 (file 25-147): Resolution urging state hands-free driving law adopted (16-0)

(Full roll-call tallies are recorded in the meeting transcript.)